Conclusion

Network pharmacology represents a transformative paradigm in asthma management, systematically elucidating the intricate, multifaceted interactions and objectives of phytotherapeutic agents to address the limitations of conventional single-target therapies, which often lead to resistance, side effects such as infections and metabolic issues and suboptimal control across heterogeneous disease phenotypes. By integrating computational predictions with experimental validation, this approach offers new opportunities to develop effective, safer and personalized anti-asthmatic therapies. This review consolidates evidence from representative studies on formulations such as Bushenyiqi decoction, Danlong Dingchuan decoction, Acacia nilotica and emerging ones like Marsdenia tenacissima and Bacopa monnieri, highlighting consistent modulation of pivotal pathways including PI3K-AKT, JAK-STAT, TNF, IL-17, Th17 differentiation, NF-κB and TLR/MAPK by key bioactive like quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, stigmasterol and andrographolide, with robust validation via molecular docking, OVA-induced mouse/rat models, metabolomics, Western blots and AI-enhanced GNN frameworks that confirm reductions in eosinophil infiltration, Th2 cytokines (IL-4/IL-5/IL-13), mucus hypersecretion, neutrophil influx and airway remodelling. Despite challenges such as data heterogeneity, database limitations and the need for standardized protocols, integrative multi-omics-network approaches (e.g. in Nepeta bracteata and Fructus Xanthii) effectively bridge predictions to experimental outcomes, thereby minimizing discrepancies and enhancing mechanistic insights. Looking ahead, future efforts should emphasize prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs), personalized multi-omics profiling for endotype-specific therapies, nanoparticle delivery systems for prioritized compounds (e.g. resveratrol, andrographolide) and AI-driven discovery to pioneer steroid-sparing, cost-effective regimens tailored to high-burden contexts like India, ultimately fostering safer, holistic, patient-centric asthma therapeutics that harness nature's polypharmacology.